PreEmptive Strike 0.1 - Eternal Masters

Greek outfit Preemptive Strike 0.1 has dominated my personal playlists over the years with substantial releases such as T.A.L.O.S. and their latest album EPOS V. They were both stellar albums that took the best stories from Ancient Greek Mythology and translated them into harsh EBM, dance-floor bombs. That being said, in between those two albums came the very metal riddled Pierce Their Husk single released via Odium Records. On it, the song that originally appeared via T.A.L.O.S. was given new life alongside other Preemptive Strike 0.1 tracks. The single also featured Niklas Kvarforth of Shining. Now, I'm sure I wasn't the only one who thought this was foreshadowing what was to come in the future, and now with their signing to DWA it appears as if Preemptive Strike 0.1 has realized their next true calling. 

Going from harsh EBM/dark electro, Preemptive Strike 0.1 is now straight in the industrial metal territory. To kick things off they've released a six track EP Eternal Masters featuring some heavy hitters from the worldwide metal scene: Borgne, Wolfheart, Dominanz, Ered Wethrin, Eibon La Furies, and Iperyt. On this EP, three tracks are taken by these artists and mixed with their own personal tastes. 

The title track 'Eternal Masters' was up first with Swiss bassed industrial black metal band Borgne setting a high standard for the rest of the tracks to come. Noisey guitar riffs combined with amazing percussion flies in after a brief, structured intro. The well known and almost trademarked screams from Preemptive Strike 0.1 follow through. This song is meant to be played during the world's apocalypse as brave warriors fight against the horrid creatures that try to purge us all. 

Finnish melodic death metal outfit Wolfheart took on 'Planet Eradicated' and put cleaner guitar work and rumbling vocals to good use paired next to Greek influences. Norwegian industrial black metal band Dominanz began their version of 'Merciless Tyrant' off a bit of gothic flavored chords, but the dancey beat soon took over. Goblin like vocals came in next, and Preemptive Strike 0.1's vocals came after. 

USA based atmospheric black metal act Ered Wethrin gave off a great version of 'Eternal Masters' that combined the catchy dance-tunes of Preemptive Strike 0.1 with their hardened, destructive metal. Ramping up the pace, English Victorian black metal band Eibon La Furies thrashed 'Planet Eradicated' with drums, guitar, and their own brand of noise. 'Merciless Tyrant' got the final take when Polish industrial death/black metal band deconstructed the track with massive amounts of percussion and underlying guitar work. Headbangers unite for this one! 

While some may question Preemptive Strike 0.1's move to metal-filled territory, I think it's a pretty decent move. They have created a ton of amazing songs and albums within the harsh EBM and dark electro territories that it's only right to retire from one field before exhausting it. Exploring a new venue should be just as exciting for the fans as it is for Preemptive Strike 0.1. And when you have a bunch of acts supporting the move on one release such as this, then there really isn't anything to fear. 

For super fans, there is a triple, 7" vinyl version that comes with the band's logo patch. Only fifteen copies available, so get on that before it's gone!
Sep 06 2016